Whether in a business meeting or while grabbing coffee with a friend, every Kemin team member has been asked, “What does Kemin do?” And the official answer is, “We are a global ingredients manufacturer that is family-owned and operated with headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.” But the full story is so much more interesting.
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What’s the History of Kemin?
Kemin's journey began in 1961 when R.W. and Mary Nelson founded the company on a 10-acre property in Des Moines, Iowa. R.W. “Bud” Nelson, who had a background in biology and chemistry, left his sales job to start his own business. The company's first product was a sheep wormer, called phenothiazine, which was mixed using an old-fashioned Maytag washing machine. Mary supported the growing business from home while also raising their five children.
As the business steadily grew, Kemin expanded its operations and became one of the earliest Iowa companies to export internationally. The Nelsons' vision and commitment to a global presence allowed Kemin to define itself as an international company.
Continue reading the full story of R.W. and Mary’s journey.
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
In the 1990s, Kemin ventured into new industries such as human health, pet food, and food technologies. Eventually the organization created business units that operate independently to serve the local needs of their industries while leveraging the technology and scientific research happening throughout all of Kemin.
Here is a quick overview of some of the industries that Kemin serves.
- Animal Nutrition and Health: Kemin delivers products and services that help food producers achieve optimal nutrition, feed quality, gut health, and pathogen control for livestock and poultry. Learn more about our expertise in animal nutrition and health.
- Animal Vaccines: Kemin provides innovative and customized vaccine solutions to address challenges with circulating and emerging animal diseases. Discover more about our line of animal vaccines. (Not available in all regions.)
- Aquaculture: Kemin serves the growing aquaculture industry, helping feed mill operators, farmers, and fish meal producers raise the healthiest aqua species with better growth, uniformity, and economic returns. Find out more about the products that are helping aqua farmers.
- Bio Solutions: Kemin is proud to serve the biocide and biofuels industries with our products and services. Learn more about how we support these industries. (Not available in all regions.)
- Crop Technologies: Kemin offers high-quality, plant-based solutions for specialty crop growers, offering effective alternatives to conventional chemistries with botanical oil-based pest control solutions and plant growth technologies. (Not available in all regions.)
- Food Technologies: Kemin produces food technology solutions that extend the shelf life of foods and beverages, protecting their color, flavor, and microbial stability. Discover how we’re making bakery items, meats, tortillas and more stay fresher longer.
- Human Nutrition and Health: Kemin supplies the nutraceutical and consumer markets with innovative, science-backed ingredients that deliver health and nutrition benefits. See what’s trending in human nutrition and health.
- Pet Food & Rendering Technologies: Kemin provides industry-leading solutions in antioxidants, food safety, health and nutrition, and palatants for pet food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. Discover more about Kemin’s solutions for the pet food and rendering industries.
- Textiles: Kemin leads research, development, and distribution of chemical solutions for the denim and fashion industries, replacing hazardous substances with safe, sustainable solutions. Find out more about our solutions for the fashion industry.
Kemin's commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in its diverse range of products and services. Our dedication to transforming lives through our proprietary solutions continues to drive our strategy and global impact.
Key Takeaways:
Kemin is a global ingredients manufacturer with a rich history in a wide range of markets:
- Kemin is Family-Owned Global Ingredients Manufacturer
Kemin is a family-owned global ingredients manufacturer headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. While that’s the official description, the company’s story is deeply rooted in innovation and global impact.
- Founded in 1961 with Humble Beginnings
R.W. and Mary Nelson started Kemin with one product, a sheep wormer mixed in a Maytag washing machine. Their vision led Kemin into becoming an international exporter of ingredients.
- Diverse Industry Reach
Kemin operates across multiple sectors including animal nutrition, aquaculture, crop technologies, food technologies, human health, pet food, textiles, and biofuels—each with dedicated business units tailored to meet local market needs.
- Science-Driven and Locally Focused
The company is rooted in scientific research and innovation. Sharing best practices and scientific breakthroughs strengthens all of the work being done through out the organization.
- Commitment to Transform Lives
Kemin’s vision is to sustainably transform the quality of life for 80% of the world’s population through our products and services.